From the Mailbag: Stylish suits for the big and tall (and everyone else)

From the Mailbag: Where can you find modern big and tall suits?

To: joe@dappered.com
Subject: Good looking / Modern Big and Tall Suits?

Joe:

I’ve got a dilemma and I’m hoping you can help out.  I’m a bigger guy (6’2″, 250) and not terribly in shape at the moment.  Fortunately, I have broad shoulders so I’m not a total fatbody.  When shopping for suits, I have to buy separates as I wear a 50 long in the jacket but a 40-42 inch waist pants.  I’m looking for suggestions for brands that might have some good options without breaking the bank.

Some caveats: I live in NW Louisiana.  Not exactly the fashion capital of the US. We tend to be more traditional in dress.  Also, I’m 40.  I’m not sure I can really pull off really trendy stuff that I might have been able to 10 years ago.   I’m in medical sales, so I call on doctors in their offices.  I guess I’m looking for some help in getting a better wardrobe that could be characterized as classic but with fashionable accents.

Any input would be appreciated!

– Trevor M
Shreveport LA

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To: Trevor
Subject: Good looking / Modern Big and Tall Suits?

Hi Trevor:

Gotta be honest, this is tough.  I know little to nothing about buying for a guy your size.  The odd fact is most guys who are your height with shoulders that big just seem to give up when it comes to dressing in anything other than jeans and camp shirts.  So, it’s a huge credit to you for bucking that trend.

(NOTE: Trevor and I exchanged a few emails, and I first suggested one of these Kenneth Cole Suits from Overstock.  They come in 50L and the cut is modern in shape while not being too trendy.  But as he pointed out, the pants would never fit thanks to his waist and shoulders being a 10inch difference.  Drat.  Here’s the next suggestion…)

Have you ever heard of Indochino?  They’re something of a whiz kid in the men’s affordable fashion world.  A lot of guys absolutely swear by them and they’re made to measure at an affordable price.  You go to your tailor, the tailor takes your measurements, you plug those measurements into their website and select your suit.  Two weeks later it’s at your door.  They also offer a $75 re-tailoring credit if it doesn’t fit perfect out of the box.

The suits run around $300 and up, with wool starting at $350.  A little pricey, but, could be the best option you have.  Better to have one or two tremendous looking suits than 5 or 6 so-so looking ones.  I dug into the Indochino website and found a FAQ page where they talk about making suits for guys with a build like yours:

So from the sounds of that, you’d be set.  It might not be just your best option, but with gargantuan shoulders like yours, your only option.  One tip:  Stick with notch lapel suits.  Peak lapels will only draw even more attention to your shoulders, and although I’m sure the ladies love them, you don’t want to look totally unbalanced.

Good luck, and let me know how it all works out.

– Joe

(Trevor wrote back and said he’s going to try out Indochino after he gets a bonus that’s coming his way in a few weeks.  In the meantime, does anyone else have experience buying for larger bodies?  What about experiences with Indochino?  Are they as good as advertised? Click here for a more in depth look at indochino)